They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 486: Just Let me Disappear in Peace

Chapter 486: Just Let me Disappear in Peace

The very moment her eyes met theirs, both of them quickly looked away, pretending to dive into some sudden, serious discussion.

Too smooth.

They were obviously trying to help her save face, but that somehow made it even more embarrassing. Nnenna groaned internally.

She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. With no better option, she buried her head further into Somto’s chest like an ostrich hiding in plain sight, convincing herself that if she could not see them, they could not see her either.

Somto chuckled lightly and whispered, "You do know your head is the only part hidden, right?"

"Shhh... Let me disappear in peace," she mumbled into his shirt.

But while she was busy trying to vanish, she missed the subtle shift in the room’s energy. Arthur stood a few feet away, stiff and quiet, his eyes locked on the scene like they were betraying him. He didn’t blink. He didn’t breathe.

And he definitely didn’t smile.

He had suspected it, strongly, but never wanted to believe it was real. Not completely.

But now? Seeing them together like this...

He never thought the two of them were actually for real.

When did it start? Somto hadn’t even been in Prigrian for the past few months. Arthur had always thought he was the one standing in the way, he was the reason he hesitated with Nnenna.

But now, it seemed she had never really been available. Just like he had quietly feared. But refused to believe it.

One thought kept echoing in his mind, looping over and over like a quiet warning.

Did I already miss my chance?

Was Ava right all along?

He felt something tighten painfully in his chest, a dull, heavy ache that had no business being there. It irritated him, this... reaction. Why did it even matter?

Yet, he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

That should be him.

Not that he would admit it. Not even to himself.

He turned away, jaw clenched, and took a long sip from his tea, as if the bitterness could drown out the sting.

Ava, on the other hand, felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach.

"I knew it," she whispered to herself, barely moving her lips.

Her eyes shifted to Arthur, her older brother, still silently hoping he would find the courage to follow his heart. But seeing the way things were unfolding, she felt a pang of pity.

It might already be too late... for both of us.

A strange heaviness settled in her chest. Now that she genuinely considered Nnenna a close friend, the thought of getting in the way between her and Somto made her feel sick.

She just couldn’t do it. It went against everything, girl code, moral code... basic decency. Still, a part of her resisted.

But didn’t I know Somto first? she thought, almost defensively. Doesn’t that count for something?

But even if it did, it no longer mattered. Somto had already made his choice. It was written all over his face, and in the way he held Nnenna without hesitation.

With that bitter realization, Ava suddenly lost her appetite. Her food might as well have been stones. She pushed back her chair and stood up.

"I’ll be in my room," she said quietly, not waiting for anyone to respond.

She didn’t even try to strike up a conversation with Somto, like she usually would. No clever remarks, no playful teasing. Nothing. For the first time in weeks, Ava didn’t feel like being seen.

She just wanted to disappear.

Arthur eventually returned to his usual cold, unreadable self once he had regained his composure. With a short nod to Somto, he murmured, "We’ll continue later," and quietly excused himself from the dining hall.

The King and Queen watched them leave with heavy hearts. They weren’t surprised, not really. Anyone with eyes could see what had just happened in the room. The tension was almost palpable, but so was the quiet joy blooming between Nnenna and Somto.

It left the royal couple in a strange emotional mix.

They were genuinely happy for Nnenna and Somto, the two seemed so at ease with each other, like pieces that had always belonged together.

That kind of peace was rare, and they cherished it when they saw it. But even so, they couldn’t ignore the invisible shards left behind.

Ava.

Arthur.

Their hearts ached for both of them.

Ava had been holding onto Somto for as long as they could remember. Hopeful smiles, innocent flirting, constant loyalty. But no matter how brightly she tried to shine, Somto never once looked at her that way.

Maybe now, with things so clear, she would finally let go, and perhaps begin to notice the other remarkable men who had always admired her from the sidelines.

But Arthur... his pain hit differently.

They had sighed with relief when they first noticed his cold heart softening around Nnenna. For the first time in over a decade, there was a light in his eyes again.

A flicker of something new, something alive. They had hoped, quietly, desperately, that maybe this was his chance to finally move on from the past.

But now... that hope felt like it was slipping away.

Unless someone else could reach him the way Nnenna did, it might take another ten years for Arthur to open his heart again.

And that was the kind of ache that no royal title, no power, and no crown could ever soothe.

The rest of the family continued with breakfast, but the cheerful hum that usually filled the dining room was noticeably absent. Conversations were shorter, laughter rarer. A gentle silence hung over them like a thin mist, soft, but undeniable.

Afterward, Nnenna followed Somto out of the hall. She wanted to bring him up to speed on everything that had happened over the past few months. Without saying much, he led her to his study.

To her surprise, it was inside the White Royal Castle.